NEWCASTLE Vipers have added another new face to their ranks in the shape of American forward Jamie Carroll.

Carroll is the third big signing of the summer for new player-coach Danny Stewart after the arrivals of Blair Stayzer and marquee Geordie signing Paul Sample.

Carroll will bring a goal-scoring threat to Tyneside after netting 21 times last term and creating 34 goals for his Bloomington Prairie Thunder team-mates in the International Hockey League.

Carroll, 27, has been described as a “top line guy” by his new coach Stewart, with the Vipers chief delighted to secure his services next term.

Stewart today unveiled his latest star and told the Chronicle: “He’s what I would call a ‘go to’ guy and I think he’ll be able to step up to the plate for us next season.

“He’s had a number of clubs after him and one of the things that got my attention and stood out the most was his eagerness to play for us.

“He’s a confident player and he’s the sort of player who won’t back down under pressure.

“That’s something that I want to stamp on the team.”

Carroll has starred for college teams such as Iona College and Providence College, but caught the attention when starring for Port Huron Icehawks in the 2007/08 season when bagging 30 times and providing 40 assists in 74 games.

He followed that up by scoring 28 and creating 54 in the 2008/09 season for Port Huron and then joining Bloomington.

Stewart said: “I don’t know him personally but he played in one of the same leagues that I did, and there are a lot of people saying good things about him.

“He’s got good skills and as I say he can’t wait to get here and play for Newcastle.”

Stewart – who has been deemed as a top signing himself by fans – has pledged to bring more new faces to Vipers in due course as he revamps a side that finished the season in the Elite League on a major low, bowing out of the play-offs with a crushing defeat against Belfast Giants.

He said: “It’s beginning to take shape but it always takes a while.

“I’m getting the core of the team together and I want an energetic team.

“This is a good start. We’re hoping to bring a few more in and it’s so far so good.”

:: VIPERS fans can meet new boy Paul Sample and are invited to an informal social night on Thursday, May 27 at Opera Bar in The Gate, Newcastle, from 7.30pm.

New signing Sample will be there with Vipers management and other available players. A club spokesman said: “There’s no ‘top table’, just people with an interest in the Vipers getting together and talking hockey.”